• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic FZ200 advantages over Sony WX500

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 390 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony WX500 advantages over Panasonic FZ200

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 600 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 110 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    236g vs 603g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

  • Max aperture f/2.8 across full 24x optical zoom range of Leica DC Vario-Elmarit-branded lens; Relatively sharp and detailed images for a superzoom camera; Full-res burst shooting at 12 frames per second; Advanced photographic capabilities (manual focusing/exposure controls, RAW image capture, etc.); Full HD video recording up to 60p.

  • Control scheme and menu layout frustrating to use, especially the over-reliance on the rear dial; Higher ISOs produce smudged and blurred images as noise reduction efforts increase; Tendency to clip highlights; EVF doesn't switch on automatically when you look through it.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic FZ150

Panasonic FZ200
Panasonic FZ150
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony WX500
Panasonic FZ150
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica V-LUX 3

Panasonic FZ200
Leica V-LUX 3
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
Sony WX500
Leica V-LUX 3
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica V-LUX 4

Panasonic FZ200
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Headphone jack
Sony WX500
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony HX90V

Panasonic FZ200
Sony HX90V
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony WX500
Sony HX90V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony HX80

Panasonic FZ200
Sony HX80
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Sony WX500
Sony HX80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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